52 Weeks of Personal Genealogy and History: Week #7 – Toys

Because of the terrible internet connection problems I had for a while which meant I could not get into the blog and because I have been trying to catch up on the backlog of correspondence and getting the blog going again, I have been too late to take part in the earlier weeks of this Challenge.

Although a bit late, I decided to start now with Week #7 and maybe I can catch up with the previous weeks out of order another time!!

﻿This week we are being asked: What was your favourite childhood toy? Is it still being made in some form today?

As long as I can remember my real favourite toy was Muffin the Mule. He was a very cute little mule and here is a pic of me when only a toddler (I think maybe not quite two years old) with my first Muffin the Mule.

Original photograph in my private collection - copyright 2011

(I added the text in the pic to spare my blushes)! 😉

My dear Dad seems very intent on watching me play with Muffin the Mule. The seemingly discarded dolly near him was another great favourite of mine. She was made of china! I really don’t remember what happened to her or the little mule I am playing with in this pic.

But as I got a little older, I was given a much better Muffin the Mule. This one was on strings and had legs that moved and bent so I could put my fingers in the hoops on the strings and make him walk, sit, lie, move his head and so on. Absolutely delightful and such fun for a little girl.

I still have him now:

This toy is in my private collection. Original photograph taken by me February 2011 - copyright 2011

This is Muffin the Mule standing upright. He is made of tin, and the paint is coming off him in places. Sadly, he only has three legs now, but enjoys his life all the same!! Not bad for a well played with toy who is now over 50 years old.

Original toy in my private collection. Photograph taken by me February 2011 - copyright 2011

Here he is having a bit of a sit down for a rest.

Original toy in my private collection. Photograph taken by me February 2011 - copyright 2011

and here is Muffin the Mule having a lie down for a well-earned rest. Well, I did have to play with him before I took the pics. 😉

I don’t think you can get him as a toy anymore, but I had a search around the internet just to check. There is the Muffin the Mule Collector’s Club, which I think I am going to have to have a good look at. There are You Tube videos of Muffin the Mule and various other websites featuring him. So, it looks like he still might be very popular!

It’s amazing how we manage to hang on to some of our toys!! I love it that your Moppett lives in your desk drawer. My Muffin the Mule has been living on top of some books on a cupboard in my bedroom for many a year! He enjoyed the change of view while I took his photos (and played with him for a little while too)!!

I shall look forward to seeing your Week #8 whatever it is (I haven’t seen yet what we have to do for this one).

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YOUR ANCESTORS

If you could see your ancestors
All standing in a row
Would you be proud of them
Or don't you really know?
Some strange discoveries are made
In climbing family trees
And some of them, you know
Do not particularly please!

If you could see your ancestors
All standing in a row
There might be some of them, perhaps
You wouldn't care to know
But here's another question, which
Requires a different view ...
If you could meet your ancestors
Would they be proud of you?(Author unknown)